For example, if you have aging loved ones in your life that are needing some extra care and assistance (especially during the holiday season and gatherings), 5 Star Home Care offers services and care that fit every need, especially for those suffering with Alzheimer's or dementia.
Kenny Higdon, owner of 5 Star Home Care, suggests art therapy as one method of engaging these loved ones and keeping their minds sharp. His company employs caregivers who help seniors and those living with a disability or recovering from an injury or illness to perform day-today activities.
"My heart goes out to anyone with Alzheimer's and their family," Higdon said. "We take care of the bathing, dressing, doing laundry, light housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation so they can concentrate their energy on reaching out and staying connected to their loved one."
The business carefully connects caretakers with clients across Tennessee. For families who are concerned about the health and safety of a loved one, reach out to 5 Star Home Care at 423-893-8181.
For some, maybe your hearing isn't up to snuff and being around family is more taxing than usual. Is the ringing, buzzing, clicking or humming in your ears, also known as tinnitus (pronounced TINN-a-tus or ti-NIGHT-us), driving you to distraction? Be assured, you are not alone. An estimated 50 million Americans experience some form of tinnitus, making it one of the most common health conditions.
Megan Johnson, Au.D. and owner of Johnson Audiology, a Chattanooga-based private audiology practice, said, "Tinnitus is experienced by people in different ways. For some, tinnitus manifests itself as a ringing sound, while others experience tinnitus as a hissing, buzzing, roaring, clicking or humming. I've even had patients report that their tinnitus sounds like music playing directly in their ears."
For more information about the effects and signs of tinnitus, contact the team at Johnson Audiology to schedule a consultation or appointment at 423-710-1432 or visit johnsonaudiology.com.
It's no secret that stress has a major influence over our bodies in many ways, both direct and indirect, but did you know that it can have a big (and rather negative) impact on your dental health too? From cold sores to grinding your teeth at night, stress can be the cause, and Drs. Robert and Mandy Shearer have some insight on how to head it off at the pass.
"It is amazing how much stress shows up in our mouth," Dr. Mandy explained. "Clenching, grinding and other bad habits often show up early, and some people develop cold sores with stress."
During times of high stress, she recommends a night guard paired with daily stretches to help with muscle tension and sometimes even Botox to help with sore jaw muscles, in severe cases. If left unattended it can lead to problems with TMJ that's located in front of your ear where the skull and lower jaw meet, Dr. Mandy shared.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Soddy Daisy Smiles at 423-332-5275 or visit soddydaisysmiles.com.
Some families find themselves struggling to cope with chronic health issues. If you're facing kidney disease of any kind, it can be difficult knowing where to turn and what to expect, but Chattanooga Kidney Centers offers a variety of services and strives to help ease patients' minds and meet their needs.
Chattanooga Kidney Center's staff is also available to help with transient services so that patients can still travel and not have to worry about their needed care. Team members work to help answer your dialysis travel questions, including insurance coverage for treatments; locate a dialysis facility closest to your destination; and above all make your treatment reservations for you.
For those who are new to dialysis, Chattanooga Kidney Center also offers a host of resources to help you on your journey with any additional questions you and your family may have. To learn more, visit ckcdialysis.com to read on or set up a consultation.
Finding yourself in pain during long holiday car rides? It might be worth an ask to your doc or surgeon. PAD is a common circulatory problem that happens when there's a narrowing of blood vessels outside your heart, reducing blood flow to your limbs. When this happens, your extremities don't receive enough blood flow – leading to symptoms like leg pain when walking or being active. PAD is caused by atherosclerosis, or a buildup of plaque on the interior walls of the arteries that pump blood to your arms and legs.
The USA Vascular Group provides vascular diagnostic testing in our onsite lab (VDS) and consults and treatment by experienced vascular surgeons. If PAD is detected, your USA surgeon will recommend a treatment plan based on your symptoms, test results, medical history and future potential risks. This plan may include lifestyle changes and medications to relieve pain and symptoms, and surgical procedures to increase blood flow through your arteries. With 7 vascular surgeons, 7 nurse practitioners and physician assistants, a full vascular diagnostics lab, special procedures suite, and clinical staff, USA Vascular is ready and able to help you understand and manage PAD.
If your doctor recommends vascular testing, you can request to be referred to USA Vascular or call us today at 423-267-0466.
Finally, arthritis can strike hard and create a great deal of pain often limiting your movement and activities in daily living. However, for many, it doesn't have to be that way permanently. Dr. Joshua Lawson is an orthopedic surgeon working to help as many patients as he can have a better and fuller life.
"I have sub-specialty training in the treatment of hip, knee, and shoulder arthritis through both non-surgical and surgical options," Dr. Lawson shared.
Dr. Lawson is a Chattanooga native that finished his fellowship in joint replacement surgery and began practice in September of 2019.
"I am very excited to be back home and serving my community," he shared. "I am credentialed with all the major insurance providers as well as the majority of hospital facilities in the Chattanooga area."
While surgical treatment most commonly involves a partial or total joint replacement, Dr. Lawson shared that he also treats patients that have previously had a joint replacement procedure but unfortunately have developed problems or are unsatisfied with their outcome.
"For patients that have not previously been evaluated, I would recommend they see a physician when they develop consistent joint pain that interferes with work responsibilities, their ability to perform their day to day tasks at home, and inability to participate in their favorite hobbies," he advised.
Difficulty sleeping, joint instability, and swelling are also indications to seek an evaluation, Dr. Lawson encouraged. And if you're already on the other side of a procedure, Dr. Lawson works with you to help aid in the healing process and watch for any signs of potential problems.
To learn more about Dr. Lawson and his practice or to schedule a consultation, call his office at 423-803-4975 or visit orthopedicsurgicalspecialists.com or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OrthoSurgSpecialists.